Benitez: We must beat United

Despondent Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez stopped short of saying his side could not win the title, but accepted "it will be more difficult now" after the 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

City took the lead with a deflected Craig Bellamy effort, with Dirk Kuyt equalising 12 minutes from time.

It left Anfield a subdued place, a mood reflected in the Liverpool manager's tone as he said: "I have confidence that we can still win it, but we must win our next two league games against Middlesbrough and Sunderland and then win against Manchester United at Old Trafford."

He added: "Then we may have a different situation. But I just accept that this has been a bad result and it clearly makes it more difficult for us to win the title.

"We clearly have to win our games and see where that takes us. And clearly Manchester United are playing well and winning games."

Benitez will assess skipper Steven Gerrard's fitness on Monday before a decision is taken on whether his hamstring injury can be risked against Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

The Spaniard continued: "We will talk with Steven and the doctors, he is improving but we will make a decision after he has trained."